Connecticut

Connecticut companies sending crews to help the South recover from Helene

Published

1 year ago

October 1, 2024

Connecticut companies sending crews to help the South recover from Helene

CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Connecticut is stepping in to help as millions of people are still without power after Hurricane Helene hammered the Southeast.

“The size of the trees that have come down here is unbelievable, just gigantic trees everywhere,” United Illuminating Senior Manager of Regional Operations Christine Pariseau said.

Travelers relieved to make it to Connecticut ahead of Hurricane Helene

The devastation is unlike anything Pariseau has seen before. She said restoring power to millions is an arduous and urgent task and one that takes trained hands.

“Not a lot of people do this type of work so it is important to use the mutual aid,” Pariseau said.

That’s why UI in Connecticut is lending their hands with 28 line crews down in Virginia and North Carolina.

“They have 14 linemen here and that’s it so they need as much as they can get and so we bring support, mechanics and a few more people to make sure we are self-sufficient,” Pariseau said.

They left on Saturday, along with 45 additional crews from Avangrid in Maine and New York.

Eversource also sent 40 line crews and 20 support personnel from Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire to help out.

“No hotels have power down here so it’s been a struggle,” Pariseau said. “The guys have gotten quite a few thousand of people back on.”

Americares provides mutual aid to help the devastation of Hurricane Helene

Beyond utility repairs, Connecticut crews are also performing water rescues and wellfare checks.

The state’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security said eight people from their Urban Search and Rescue Team are in North Carolina including swift water technicians, a state trooper and paramedic and communications engineer. They are also checking debris piles and vehicles that were swept down rivers.

Connecticut is helping out with another critical need: food.

Bear’s Smokehouse, that has two locations here, is offering free hot meals at their restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina. They are also launching a fundraiser to support ongoing relief efforts.

Connecticut crews have brought people to safety, restored electricity and given out free meals, really helping out in every way.

Most arrived last weekend and expect to be in Virginia and North Carolina for at least a week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.

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Connecticut

Multiple cars involved in crash on I-84 in Hartford

Published

11 hours ago

March 4, 2026

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Multiple cars involved in crash on I-84 in Hartford

A multi-vehicle crash temporarily close Interstate 84 on Tuesday night.

The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. and involved four cars, according to the Hartford Fire Department.

Fire crews arrived at the scene and helped one of the drivers who was trapped. The driver was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Four other people reported minor injuries but declined ambulance treatment at the scene, officials said.

I-84 East was temporarily shut down as crews responded but has since reopened.

The Connecticut State Police is investigating the crash.

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Connecticut

Sleet, freezing rain leading to treacherous travel in parts of Connecticut

Published

23 hours ago

March 3, 2026

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Sleet, freezing rain leading to treacherous travel in parts of Connecticut

As the snow turns to sleet and freezing rain in parts of the state this afternoon, it is causing some treacherous travel on Connecticut roads.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation is reporting several crashes.

There are crashes on both sides of Interstate 691 in Meriden.

A tractor-trailer jackknifed on the eastbound side of I-691 between Exit 5 and 3, closing the left lane. On the westbound side, a single-vehicle crash closed the left lane.

There is a two-vehicle crash on I-91 North in Middletown between Exits 20 and 21. The left and center lanes are closed.

A multi-vehicle crash has closed lanes of I-84 East in Waterbury between Exits 25 and 25A. There is a second crash on I-84 East in Southington near Exit 30.

In Cromwell, a two-vehicle crash closed the right lane of Route 9 North in Cromwell.

On Route 9 South, a crash closed a lane on the southbound side.

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Connecticut

The Great Westport Sandwich Contest kicks off with event at Old Mill Grocery

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

The Great Westport Sandwich Contest kicks off with event at Old Mill Grocery

People in Westport have the chance to pick the best thing between sliced bread.

The Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce held a kick-off event at Old Mill Grocery on Monday for The Great Westport Sandwich Contest.

The contest runs throughout March with 21 restaurants, delis and markets competing in 10 categories to be crowned the best sandwich maker.

Residents can vote in the following categories: Best chicken, best steak, best vegetarian, best combo, best club, best NY deli, best pressed sandwich, best breakfast sandwich, best wrap, and best fish/seafood sandwich.

After people sample sandwiches, they can vote for their favorites in each category on the chamber’s website. They will also be placed into a drawing to win a free sandwich from one of the 10 winners.

“Of course, the goal is to have people come to Westport and check out restaurants, our markets and our delis. This is a great promotion. I mean it is a competition, but mostly it’s to bring people to the restaurants. It also gives a great community activity because they are the ones who get to vote who makes the best one,” says Matthew Mandell, the chamber’s executive director.

Winners will be announced in April and receive a plaque.

The chamber has held similar contests to determine what establishment has the best pizza, burger, soup and salad.

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